​AT LAST the public can access London Road Fire and Police Station; one of the most extraordinary testaments to civic pride in Europe. This tour will entertain, inform, delight and maybe send the odd shiver down the spine.

These special Christmas and New Year tours will also reveal lots of heart-warming stories about the way people who lived and worked in this building celebrated the Yuletide.

The tour starts with a visit to the former Gas Meter Testing Room followed by a spin around the astonishing exterior of the 1906 building. Then we enter through the impressive gates on London Road before taking in the main courtyard and superb spaces such as the Engine House.

The Engine House is the long galleria from where firemen would be scrambled to emergencies across the central areas of the city. This is filled with exquisite detail and craftsmanship. There are fire poles galore here and when we cross the courtyard to the workshops there are more fire poles and where there will be projections on the wall of the building as it was when it was in use as a fire station.

In the courtyard we will make sense of the building and its distinct areas.

Then it's time for exclusive access, only available through this tour, of the magnificent Coroner's Court, a celebration in mahogany and stained glass and a place of pure atmosphere and drama.

Throughout we tell the story of the criminals in the police cells, of the personal tragedies in the Coroner's Courts and the joy and pride of the fire service families who worked and lived there. This is, in effect, the story of Manchester, since 1906, in one building and this will be a tour to remember: a tour in ‘the finest fire station in this round world’.

The tour has been written by Jonathan Schofield, who will conduct most of the tours. ​It is in association with Allied London who have kindly permitted these tours to take place and reveal parts of this treasured building to the Manchester public. Please note, not all areas can be accessed due to health and safety considerations.

TOURS COST £10 and last 75 minutes.Private, corporate and educational tours are available on application to jgschofield@btinternet.com There is great flexibility in times and dates for private tours.

TICKET: The PayPal receipt sent to your email address is your ticket. Either print out or save an electronic version on your phone. ​